Bieudron Hydroelectric Power Station
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The Bieudron Hydroelectric Power Station is a
Production began in 1998, with two world records set upon its completion: the world's most powerful
rupture in 2000 forced the closure of the power plant and it was operational again in 2010.Specifications
This facility houses three Pelton turbines, with each turbine rated at 423 MW (~567,000 HP); note that the turbine acceptance testing process reported a maximum turbine output power of 449 MW each (~602,000 HP) due to better than expected efficiency and ideal test conditions.[1]
At the rated power of 423 MW each turbine operates at a head of ~1869 meters (6130 feet) and a flow rate of 25 cubic meters per second, with an efficiency in excess of 92% (~92.23%). The turbine assembly is a five-jet configuration; the stream of each jet is 184.7 mm (7.2716535 inches) in diameter with an exit velocity of 191.5 meters/second (628.28 ft/s). The kinetic energy of each of the 5 streams i.e. 1 from each jet) is approximately 92.16 MW (Q = 5 cubic meters per second, v = 191.5 m/s, H = 1869 m). The assembly rated pressure is 203.2 bars (2944 psi).
The combined flow rate for the three turbines is 75 cubic meters per second. The facility peak power production is ~1269 MW. The turbines and associated valves were designed and developed by VA Tech of Switzerland.
Penstock rupture
On December 12, 2000, at approximately 20:10, the
The Bieudron facility was inoperative after the accident; however, it became partially operational in December 2009, and fully operational in January 2010. Much investigation went into the accident resulting in the almost complete redesign of the penstock. Legal action is still in process and the root cause of the rupture is unknown.[when?]
Redesign
However details
See also
References
- ^ a b BIEUDRON POWER STATION - Grande Dixence SA Archived 2010-02-25 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "Cleuson-Dixence Rehab Nears End". Tunnel Builder. August 9, 2008. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2011.
- ^ "Grande Dixence".
- ^ "Grande Dixence".
- ^ "Grande Dixence".
- ^ http://www.cleuson-dixence.ch/posters_281007.pdf [bare URL PDF]
- Helmut Keck, Gerald Vullioud, and Pascal Joye. Commissioning and Operation Experience with the World's Largest Pelton Turbines Bieudron.